Final answer:
F. Scott Fitzgerald uses characterization and setting to symbolize the nature of East Egg in 'The Great Gatsby', portraying it as a place of wealth and superficiality through the use of color symbolism and the portrayal of characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan. the setting and characters collectively represent the 1920s social stratification and the larger theme of the American Dream.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characterization and Setting in East Egg: F. Scott Fitzgerald effectively uses characterization and setting to convey the symbolic nature of East Egg in The Great Gatsby. The setting of East Egg is depicted as a location of wealth and established social status, which contrasts with the more nouveau riche West Egg where Gatsby resides. The characters that inhabit East Egg, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan, exhibit traits of superficiality and carelessness, which are reflections of the hollow prosperity of the 1920s.
Through Nick Carraway's narration, Fitzgerald employs color symbolism with white representing the false purity and grey symbolizing decay. Additionally, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes hope and the unattainable American Dream. This symbolism in the setting intensifies the moral compass and themes revolving around wealth, love, and success in Fitzgerald's work.The characterization of Jay Gatsby, framed by Nick's limited viewpoint, emphasizes the mystery and entanglement between personal ambition and the universal quest for the American Dream. Fitzgerald's nuanced depiction of East Egg through its setting and characters encapsulates the era's social stratification and disillusionment with the American Dream.